A controversial Neil McCafferty penalty sent Dungannon on their way to a win over champions Glentoran at Stangmore.

Referee Trevor Moutray awarded the spot-kick for handball despite adamant Glentoran claims that a Dungannon player had been the guilty party.

That 72nd-minute score was quickly followed by a second netted by former Falkirk player Dermott McCaffrey.

Late in the first half Glentoran had Jonny Taylor sent-off but McCafferty's resultant penalty was saved.

Taylor was the last defender when he brought down Shane Coney who was in on goal.

Elliott Morris flung himself to his right to pull off a fine save.

Morris again made a good save 10 minutes into the second half from a Ryan Mullan header after a McCafferty free-kick.

Then came the hotly-disputed handball incident. Glentoran protested and referee Moutray consulted assistant Gareth Eakin before confirming the spot-kick verdict.

McCafferty changed sides this time and just beat Morris to the keeper's left.

McCaffrey blasted in number two with a fine left-foot strike in the 81st minute to make sure of a win which takes Dixie Robinson's Swifts above Coleraine and into fourth place in the Carling Premiership table.

Afterwards, Glentoran's former Northern Ireland star Keith Gillespie said they had been amazed when the penalty was awarded for handball.

"Everybody thought Chris Morgan had handled the ball and that the referee had awarded a free-kick to us," said Gillespie.

"I do not know what to say about the referees in the Irish League.

"They seem to be getting decisions wrong every week and it is not good."

However, Dungannon striker Morgan said Glentoran's Sean Ward had handled the ball just before he did.

"Sean admitted that after the match and, if the referee spotted it, it was a very good decision," said Morgan.

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